My name is Stephanie O'Brien. I'm an animal lover and enjoy volunteering. I have combined those passions into providing a temporary home to animals that would otherwise be sitting in a shelter or worse, euthanized due to lack of room in a shelter.
For the past two years I've fostered pit bull type dogs for a rescue in South Dakota. I've also had the opportunity to do some presentations on responsible pet ownership and have been involved in fighting breed specific legislation in SD and IA.
I'm looking forward to providing the readers with animal related topics and possibly answer any questions you may have. Enjoy!
Stephanie
Sioux Empire Pit Rescue Volunteer

Crickets...chirp, chirp, chirp

Boomer and Delta taking a break while out walking near Stolley's Pond.

Sunday was a beautiful day to be outside. The sun was shining, no blasting wind whipping dust in your face, and the temperature was mild enough for a short sleeved shirt.

Sunday was the day I had set up to have people meet me at Avera Medical Center parking lot and help teach our dogs some social skills.

Sunday, at 2pm, Boomer and I were the only two in the lot.

Sunday, I was disappointed. But, I'm going to try again this Sunday. Same place, same time, same dog.

I hope you will join me. Giving our dogs the exposure to other dogs and people in a safe and managed environment is great for every dog.

While out on a walk this week, I spotted a man outside playing fetch with his dog in his yard. The dog was not on a leash or tie out. I called out to the man to please hang on to his dog while I walked by with mine, but the minute the little Boston terrier laid eyes on my goons he was running full speed at us. Now imagine if you will someone you don't know, nor ever met is running as fast as they can right at you yelling. What's you're reaction going to be? What if you don't speak their language, can't use your hands to motion for them to stop?

It is a busy street we are on and a car was coming so I did not have the option to back away from the dog. Someone would have gotten run over. Holding onto 100lbs. of dogs that I know need to be introduced slowly to accept another dog, I'm yelling repeatedly, ''PLEASE COME AND GET YOUR DOG''. I guess the owner was not very worried because he took his sweet time and then was not able to catch the dog right away. He was yelling at the dog and telling me, ''he has never done that before''.

Now, I realize that initially this man and his dog were on their private property, but the minute he hit the street, he was on public property. I realize that not all dogs will react the way mine did, which fortunately they did nothing more than want to meet him, but I do know how to handle them, and know what they are capable of as well. I never say never.

Two points to make here, you can never say never, and your dog needs to be on a leash when not confined. Having a leash on your dog makes it so much easier to grab than a wiggly dog should he get away from you.

All dogs, all breeds, need social skills so that they can learn to accept other animals without being confrontational. I hope to see you at this Sunday's walk.